Gate & Building Entry Locks: comparing quotes

Both, where the two are connected, which on a gate they usually are. A locksmith working on a gate lock also looks at the hinges, the post and the closer, since a lock rarely fails on its own when the real cause is a sagging gate or a post that has shifted. Work that goes beyond hardware the locksmith carries, such as rebuilding a rotted post or a damaged fence panel, is flagged so it can be handled by whoever normally does that kind of repair.

Condition of the closer, hinges and post

Simple adjustment of an existing closer is a smaller job than replacing a worn closer, correcting sagging hinges, or resetting a post that has shifted with the ground; the quote follows whichever combination the assessment finds.

How many current key holders need new keys

Keys cut on site are counted individually into the quote. A single household needs far fewer than a multi-unit building entry where every current resident is being issued a fresh key at once.

Access to the gate or entry

A ground-level gate on an easy driveway is straightforward. A shared building entry behind a locked lobby, a gate at the far end of a long property, or awkward scaffolding around the hardware adds time the quote takes into account.